Hot Issues

The following issues are those that Georgians For Gun Safety are currently working on.

Federal Assault Weapons Ban

In 1994, in response to a rash of brutal shootings, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. The Ban sought to outlaw certain types of semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
These weapons, most based on military designs, are made to quickly kill large numbers of people by allowing the shooter to rapidly spray a wide area with a hail of bullets.

Unfortunately, in an overt attempt to skirt the intent of the 1994 law, the gun industry exploited loopholes in the law and continued to manufacture "copy-cat" weapons.

These guns are identical to those banned by the 1994 law, except for minor design changes. As a result, assault weapons have been used in some of America's most notorious massacres, including the 1999 killings at Columbine High School (TEC-DC9 assault pistol and Hi-Point Carbine) and the 2003 D.C.-area sniper shootings (Bushmaster XM15 assault rifle).

According to the FBI, these weapons are used to kill one in five of the nation's police officers who die in the line of duty.

The Campaign to Strengthen the Ban:

The original 1994 Ban expires in September, 2004. President Bush and some members of Congress are in favor of extending the Ban. However, with a simple extension of the Ban, the loopholes will allow the gun industry to continue to manufacture and distribute these weapons.

Representatives Carolyn McCarthy and John Conyers have introduced House Resolution (HR) 2038 which would not only renew the Ban, but also strengthen it - eliminating the loopholes. Companion legislation in the Senate, S1431, has been introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg. In 2004, Congress will decide whether to allow assault weapons to remain on the streets of our communities.

We're Doing Our Part To Help:

The Georgia Coalition for the Extension and Enhancement of the Assault Weapons Ban is a new initiative begun by Georgians for Gun Safety on October 1, 2003.

The Coalition's goals are to:

1. Educate our citizens about the dangers of assault weapons.
2. Create greater awareness of the assault weapons ban renewal and how it will impact our communities.
3. Influence key Georgia members of our Congressional delegation to support legislation that would extend and strengthen the current Assault Weapons Ban.

If you or your organization would like to join the coalition and help us in this initiative, send an email to info@georgiansforgunsafety.com and we will show you how.

Gun Industry Immunity

The negligent practices of some gun makers and sellers have contributed to countless gun deaths and injuries. Recently, however, the courts have started to hold gun sellers and manufacturers responsible for their negligent behavior. Courts have found that gun manufacturers have failed to incorporate feasible, inexpensive design features to make their guns safer, that gun sellers irresponsibly sell to drunks and criminals, and that negligent gun makers create a public nuisance by consciously failing to prevent known trafficking by "bad apple" distributors and dealers.

While the gun industry, through the National Rifle Association, has tried to silence legislators on issues of gun safety, the courts have always been there to stand up for victims and survivors of gun violence. Last year, legislation was introduced in Congress to give the gun industry sweeping legal immunity and would have blocked suits by government entities and individuals seeking to hold gun manufacturers, distributors, and dealers accountable for negligent business practices that resulted in the loss of human life. No other industry, including tobacco, automobile or even children's toys has been given this type of immunity.

After months of effort by citizens across the country, the U.S. Senate defeated the gun manufacturers' lawsuit immunity Bill by a vote of 90-8. Votes on several amendments preceded the final vote, and because the amendments were successfully added to the final Bill, the gun lobby asked Senators to defeat the measure. This was a huge victory for those that believe that all manufacturers should be accountable for the products that they promote and sell.

For more information on the Gun Industry Immunity issue and details on how you can help, click here http://www.justiceforgunvictims.org/content/federal/index.html